Sam Lipsyte Book order (chronological)

"A darkly comic mystery by the author of Hark and The Ask set in the vibrant music scene of early 1990s New York City"--

An “extremely funny...brilliantly alive” social satire from bestselling author Sam Lipsyte, this story revolves around an unwitting mindfulness guru and the phenomenon he sparks. In a tumultuous America marked by political upheaval, cultural discord, and spiritual confusion, many find themselves anxious and distracted, desperately seeking peace and focus. Enter Hark Morner, a failed stand-up comic turned mindfulness guru whose program aims to captivate the masses. For Fraz and Tovah, a middle-aged couple facing a rough patch, Hark’s “Mental Archery” may not be enough to navigate the complexities of love, lust, work, and parenthood amidst civilizational collapse. With the rise of fringe players like a renegade Ivy League ethicist, a gentle Swedish kidnapper, and a struggling social media tycoon, time may be running out. Yet, what’s the point of a world, even a post-apocalyptic one, if they don’t strive to keep their marriage alive? This “awfully funny...tartly effective sendup of 21st-century America” showcases Lipsyte’s daring exploration of contemporary absurdity and the emotional truths of his characters. With “every line feeling as thrillingly charged as a live wire,” this novel offers a smart, incisive look at the search for meaning and dignity in a chaotic world.

Presents a collection of stories featuring such characters as a deranged male birth doula, an aerobics instructor trying to save her soul, and a doomsday hustler.

Milo Burke, husband to a 'touched-out' wife, father to a three-year-old son, fund-raising officer at a third-tier uniersity, has just joined the swelling ranks of the unemployed. As he grasps after odd jobs to support his family, Milo is contacted by Purdy Stuart, a wealthy, one-time university friend with a sinister agenda.

The bad news was dire: I was dying of something unprecedented. The Subject Steve is a dark, original satire on human mortality and our frantic attempts to escape it. Meet Steve (not his real name), a Special Case, or rather, a Terminal Case, and the antihero of this savagely funny novel. He learns from his doctors, the Philosopher and the Mechanic, that he is dying from a condition with no identifiable cause. Eager to make their mark, they label it Goldfarb-Blackstone Preparatory Extinction Syndrome, or PREXIS. This ordinary postmodern citizen—bitter ex-husband, quasi-deadbeat father, midlife adman, and creator of memorable dot.com slogans—finds himself at the center of a media frenzy when it’s revealed that he might be dying from sheer boredom. As his physicians are exposed as frauds, he retreats to the Center for Nondenominational Recovery and Redemption, under the control of the shadowy caregiver Heinrich of Newark. His journey then takes him to the desert, where a cultish media empire hinges on his demise. Yet, nothing can change Steve’s inevitable confrontation with death and synergy. This novel, manic, ebullient, and deadpan, solidifies Lipsyte's place among America’s master satirists, offering a dark comedy for our overlit times.

Exploring the complexities of truth and nostalgia, the narrative unfolds through a high school alumni bulletin that reveals unfiltered confessions. Sam Lipsyte's unique storytelling combines humor and originality, drawing praise from notable authors for its wit and engaging style. This novel promises a fresh and thought-provoking take on the past, as it delves into the lives of its characters with both honesty and humor.

Dark, dazzling American satire from the natural heir to George Saunders or David Sedaris. ‘A brilliant novel, in every conceivable way.’ Toby Litt Steve’s fettle is absolutely fine, but nevertheless, he’s dying – of a mystery disease that just might be boredom. At least, that’s what the guys in the white coats say. They’re not doctors, they’re just guys in white coats, and the subject’s name isn’t Steve, either, but we’ll get to that…